Putin presents condolences over death of Saudi Crown Prince Nayef

June 17, 2012, 19:16 UTC+3He died in Geneva on June 16 while receiving medical treatment

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MOSCOW, June 17 (Itar-Tass) —— President Vladimir Putin has presented condolences to King Abdallah Bin Abd Al-Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia in connection with the death of Crown Prince Nayef.

Prince Nayef, who was also deputy prime minister and interior minister, will be buried in the holy city of Mecca. He died in Geneva on June 16 while receiving medical treatment. He was 78 years old.

Prince Nayef became the Saudi Interior Minister in 1975, and led the crackdown on al-Qaeda's offshoot in the country. Being a committed follower of Saudi conservative traditions based on the Wahhabi doctrine of Islam, he was less conservative than King Abdullah. The Crown Prince even permitted the women’s team to take part in the upcoming London Olympic Games.

His possible successor is 76-year-old brother, Prince Salman. The new crown prince needs approval by the Allegiance Council.